Peripheral Nerve Block vs Spinal Anesthesia in Hip Surgery

"In this group, four nerve blocks will be associated to ensure adequate anesthesia and analgesia during hip surgery.~Lumbar plexus and sciatic nerve blocks will be performed with a needle connected to an electrical nerve stimulation. The needle will be advanced until contraction of the femoral quadriceps muscle and plantar or dorsal flexion of the foot will be detected respectively. For both, a mixture of mepivacaine and levobupivacaine will be injected.~Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block will be performed with the ultrasound technique. After identifying the nerve, a needle will be inserted with an in plane approach and will be injected.~Lateral branch of iliohypogastric nerve block will be executed with the De Visme approach. Along the iliac crest (range between 7 and 11 cm from the anterior superior iliac spine) a needle will be inserted until bone contact is found. Then a mixture of mepivacaine and levobupivacaine will be injected."

"In this group, spinal anesthesia will be performed to ensure anesthesia during surgery, while lumbar plexus block will be performed to ensure postoperative analgesia Spinal anesthesia will be performed with a 25 G needle and 12 mg 0.5% levobupivacaine will be injected.~Lumbar plexus block will be performed with a needle connected to an electrical nerve stimulation. The needle will be advanced until contraction of the femoral quadriceps muscle will be detected. 20 ml 0.5% levobupivacaine will be injected."